Thursday, March 10, 2011

Breaking News: Seventeen 23rd Fighter Group A-10Cs at Lajes now

Yesterday, Warthog News contributor André Inácio from Portugal told me via Facebook: Hi Joachim, Currently at Lajes Field has 17 Warthogs with tailcode FT. On the weekend I will send to you some emails with all information that you need.

Comment: I'm fully irritated because I thought they had only 12 at Kandahar Airfield after the return of six. And I don't know any OEF A-10C replacement unit. Or is the replacement comming from the 23rd Fighter Group?

Please remember:

In September 2010, the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron replaced the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem AB, Germany. Originally, the 81st EFS was deployed with 12 A-10Cs. Later, related to a surge, it was reinforced by six more A-10Cs from Spang and two ANG A-10Cs.

WHAT A GREAT VIEW: All eighteen 75th EFS A-10Cs are parking at Lajes Field, Azores, diverted in three sections of six aircraft each. (Photo by André Inácio) Full size

Later, the 75th EFS was downsized from 18 to 12 aircraft. On December 6, 2010, six A-10Cs from the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Lajes Field, Azores, for stopover enroute back to CONUS:

Dedicated in Love

This blog is dedicated to Marina Naumann, my latest female partner who died after incurable pancreas cancer on June 17, 2010, just only a half year after diagnosis. Marina was the second true wife in my life, and she always supported my long-year enthusiastic research work on the Hog, especially since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Rest in peace, Marina.